Dr Marita Dale APAM is a senior lecturer and researcher at the University of Sydney. 

While her main area of research is in cardiorespiratory physiotherapy, she has a particular interest in qualitative research. 

Physiotherapy in Australia is growing rapidly, both in numbers and in the breadth of what our profession contributes to Australians’ health. 

As of March 2026, Australia has more than 50,000 registered physiotherapists, while the APA represents close to 37,000. 

We are approaching the size of the psychology profession and are on track to become Australia’s third-largest regulated health profession. 

To borrow a line from Uncle Ben in Spider-Man, ‘With great power comes great responsibility.’ 

Dr Alana Dinsdale APAM started working clinically in 2012, predominantly in the musculoskeletal space, but didn’t initially think about getting into research.

However, after treating many patients with neck problems, and particularly temporomandibular disorders (TMDs), she realised there was a gap in the research for TMDs from a physiotherapy rehabilitation perspective.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has come to dominate the tech sphere over the past five years and its influence has spread into other fields, including healthcare.

Its growing presence has prompted the APA to release a position statement on the use of AI in physiotherapy.

While other bodies such as Ahpra have already released statements about AI, we felt it was important to provide guidance specific to physiotherapy.

The APA has partnered with the Royal Life Saving Society – Australia (RLSSA) to enhance the RLSSA Hydrotherapy Rescue Award.

As part of that work, a recent project focused on the development of updated online learning content.

Building on a longstanding partnership between the two organisations, this latest update incorporates contemporary aquatic physiotherapy expertise while maintaining RLSSA’s established aquatic safety and rescue framework.

Every year on 8 September, World Physiotherapy Day celebrates the contribution physiotherapists make to improving health and wellbeing around the globe.

It is an opportunity to recognise the expertise, compassion and leadership of our profession while reflecting on how physiotherapy continues to evolve to meet today’s greatest health challenges.

This year is particularly significant. Following consultation with member organisations, World Physiotherapy has launched a four-year focus on non-communicable diseases, the leading cause of death and disability worldwide.